Gary Heatly in Exeter
Experienced Canada back-rower Karen Paquin says that her team “respect” Scotland and are expecting a very competitive match this Saturday in the Pool B decider at the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Paquin, the 38-year-old 2014 World Cup runner-up and Olympic sevens medallist, played well for Canada as they defeated Wales 42-0 to make it two bonus point wins from two so far last weekend.
As a result, the second in the world team top the standings and if they beat sixth in the world Scotland in Exeter in a few days’ time they will head to the quarter-finals as group winners.
Scotland, who have also already made sure of a last eight place, will have something to say about that at Sandy Park though and Paquin, the Club de rugby de Quebec player who has 37 caps, said: “I think it’s going to be a good game, it’s going to be the pool decider.
“We expect a strong performance from them. We know that they have a good team, they have an experienced team.
“Yes, we look at them, we study them, we respect them and we expect a tough battle, but for us, it’s kind of about us at this point. We want to do what we can do and what we do well and find how to express ourselves on the field in this match.”
Canada opened their campaign with a 65-7 win over Fiji and in the Wales game their defensive solidity and their varying attack was what impressed most.
“Defence is always super important,” openside Paquin stated.
“We know that any team is going to come out of the gate with lots of energy.
“For us, we had to defend quite hard early on against Wales, but we were really calm. So, it was special to be that far into our own half and still be like ‘no worries, we got this’.
“That defensive strength always gives us a boost in games and, in attack, it’s about finding where the opposition have one weakness or where there is an opening and getting the ball there and going about things that way.
“It’s not so much about being boxed into doing one thing. It’s about using what we see and playing that in the game that we are in at the time.
“That’s a fun way to play rugby 100 percent.”
The Scotland squad travelled to Exeter on Monday and, after the Canada game, will move to Bristol for a quarter-final on either September 13 or 14.
- Bitila Tawake (Fiji) has been suspended for four matches (reduced to three on successful completion of the Coaching Intervention) following a disciplinary committee hearing on Monday after her 20-minute red card versus Scotland.
Scotland Women’s Rugby World Cup squad
Forwards: Leah Bartlett, Becky Boyd, Sarah Bonar, Elliann Clarke, Lisa Cockburn, Eva Donaldson, Evie Gallagher, Adelle Ferrie, Jade Konkel, Rachel Malcolm (C), Elis Martin, Rachel McLachlan, Molly Poolman, Lana Skeldon, Alex Stewart, Emma Wassell, Molly Wright, Anne Young.
Backs: Leia Brebner-Holden, Beth Blacklock, Rhea Clarke, Coreen Grant, Rhona Lloyd, Caity Mattinson, Francesca McGhie, Helen Nelson, Emma Orr, Hannah Ramsay, Chloe Rollie, Lisa Thomson, Hannah Walker, Evie Wills.
Karen Paquin is pictured – thanks to Rugby Canada
From August 7 until September 30, GH Media will be following the Scotland World Cup journey all of the way. We will be at all of the Scotland matches down south and will be bringing you all of the interviews and news from camp as well as taking a wider look at the tournament as a whole and its impact on the women’s game. Thanks to Quirky Chocolate and other supporters for allowing this content to happen and to readers for engaging with it.